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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL/LAW 399-2"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Law and Political Science: International Children’s Rights"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Michele Riondino
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Special topics in Law and Political Science.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course is designed to offer a comprehensive exploration of children's rights, combining theoretical foundations with practical applications to provide students with a holistic understanding of the subject. The course will begin by examining the historical evolution of children's rights and the construction of "the child" in both legal and social contexts. From there, it will explore the key international legal instruments and conventions that define and protect children's rights, particularly the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocols.
Students will also analyze the various actors involved in child protection, including governments, international organizations and religious institutions.
The course will then proceed to address core issues such as violence against children, the right to education, and child justice, offering insight into the legal responses and strategies aimed at protecting children’s rights in diverse contexts.
Central research questions to be addressed in the course include:
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● How have children’s rights evolved, and what is the role of international conventions in shaping global standards for their protection?
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● What are the primary causes and consequences of violence against children, and how do international frameworks address this issue?
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● How do international legal systems protect children’s rights, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure accountability when these rights are violated?
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
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Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
● Understand the evolution and legal construction of children’s rights within various legal and social frameworks.
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● Analyze the international legal instruments, such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and their role in safeguarding children’s rights globally.
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● Critically assess child protection mechanisms, including how violence against children is addressed and prevented by different legal systems.
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● Examine the role of some religious systems in protecting children's rights, comparing it with international frameworks.
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● Apply legal concepts and rights-based approaches to real-world situations involving children's rights in areas such as education and justice.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| International Child Law | Rajnaara Akhtar, Conrad Nyamutata, Elizabeth Faulkner | Routledge 2020, 4th edition | 9781138585195 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| The 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Child Labour Exploitation | M. Riondino | E-Journal of International and Comparative Labour Studies. 9(1) | | | |
| “the right to education: a fundamental and universal right”, | M. Riondino | JUS LXIII (2016) | 978-92-871-9750-4 | | |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Convention on the Rights of the Child: Background, Motivation, Strategies, Main Themes | Eugeen Verhellen | Garant Uitgevers N V; 3° edizione (1 dicembre 2000) | 978-9044110814 | | |
| Handbook on European law relating to the rights of the child | Council of Europe (CoE) | Council of Europe (CoE) | 978-92-871-9750-4 | | |
| Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in International, European and National Legal Framework. THE RIGHT TO HUMAN DIGNITY | Pavlović, Z., & Paunović, N. | Yearbook. No. 3, Human rights protection : the right to human dignity | | | |
| The optional protocols to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on Sex Trafficking and Child Soldiers. | Revaz, C. R. | Human Rights Brief, 9(1), 4 | | | |
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Mid-term exam | Essay questions | 30% |
| Final exam | Essay questions | 30% |
| Project | Oral Presentation | 30% |
| Class participation | Attendance is compulsory & students shall contribute to class discussions | 10% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until 7 May 2025
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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Introduction to the Course.
An introduction to children’s rights and construction of “the child”
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Historical overview of children’s rights.
The theoretical basis of children’s rights
- Convention(s)
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Ch.2
“Protection of children’s rights in the international community and the Catholic Church: a comparative analysis” pp. 987 - 1000
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The UN Convention on the Right of the Child (CRC).
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Ch.3
“Protection of children’s rights in the international
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Its origin, development and implementation
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community and the Catholic Church: a comparative analysis” pp. 1000 -1007
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Explanation and Analysis of some key sections of the CRC
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Explanation and Analysis of some key sections of the CRC
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Ch.3.(7.4 -7.5 - 7.6 - 7.7)
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Explanation and Analysis of some key sections of the CRC
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Ch.3(7.8 - 7.9)
“the right to education: a fundamental and universal right”, JUS LXIII (2016) pp.287-300
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Review Session MID-TERM EXAM
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THE INVOLVEMENT OF CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT ONA COMMUNICAT IONS PROCEDURE ON THE SALE OF CHILDREN, CHILD PROSTITUTIO N, AND CHILD PORNOGRAPH Y
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-Ch.3.6
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-Revaz, C. R. (2001). The optional
protocols to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child on Sex Trafficking and Child Soldiers. Human Rights Brief, 9(1), 4.
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Ch.5
‘The 30th anniversary of the Convention on the
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Rights of the Child and Child Labour exploitation’ (2020) 9 E-Journal of International Comparative Labour Studies, pp. 90-96.
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Children ‘s rights in the European legal context
European Convention on the Exercise of Children's Rights * Strasbourg, 25.I.1996
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Handbook on European law relating to the right of the child (2022 edition) - Ch.1
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Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse *
Lanzarote, 25.X.2007
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-“protection of children’s rights in the international community and the Catholic Church: a comparative analysis” pp. 1007- 1011
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-Pavlović, Z., & Paunović, N. (2020). Protection of Children from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation in International, European and National Legal Framework. THE RIGHT TO HUMAN DIGNITY, pp.317-325
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Childhood in the digital era
- risk-based approach
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Final exam - oral presentation
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Final exam - oral presentation
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